Dense and intense, with cassis, plum and black walnut notes and details of olive tapenade, tobacco and black pepper on a firm frame. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2035. 8,600 cases made, 600 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Hawkes Bay Select to Add

Sophisticated, with touches of black walnut liqueur, kirsch and spicy tobacco. Cardamom, blueberry and cedar notes linger, with dense, toothsome tannins. Fragrant and balanced on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2035. 7,900 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Hawkes Bay Select to Add

The core of cassis, plum and black cherry flavors shows good energy and intensity. Fresh and fragrant, dense and juicy, this offers details of sage, cedar and tobacco, with a crisp edge on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 6,500 cases made, 700 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Hawkes Bay Select to Add

The second wine of Sophia, the 2009 Gimblett Gravels “Te Kahu” is a blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. It was aged for 15 months in French barriques, 22% new, and gives notes of warm plums and blackberries with some dried fruits, tree bark and spice box hints. Tight-knit, crisp and with a firm level of chewy tannins on the medium-full bodied palate, it offers just enough flesh and a long finish. Approachable now, it should cellar through 2016. Importer: Kobrand Corp., New York, NY; tel. (212) 490-9300